Comparative data file



April 1950 J. M. JbNEs 2,502,961

COMPARATIVE DATA FILE Filed July 16, 1946 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SALESHI'IHLSALE 5170 0 Patented Apr. 4, 1950 COMPARATIVE DATA FILE Jesse M. Jones,North Hollywood, Calif., assignor to Charles R. Hadley Company, LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 16, 1946,Serial No. 683,931

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a comparative data file and is directed towardthe general type of file shown in the Jones et a1. Patents Nos.2,295,951 and 2,295,952 and relates to improvements over the structureshown therein.

The primary object of this invention is to provide superposed datasheets which are each individually attached for limited transversesliding movement with relation to adjacent sheets, and each of saidsheets being provided with a secondary data sheet arranged for limitedtransverse sliding movement relative thereto.

Another object is to provide a series of superposed data sheets, eachhaving thereon columns for the entry of data, which sheets are connectedby means permitting transverse sliding movement of the sheet to anechelon arrangement for comparison of data on the various sheets,together with a secondary sheet associated with each of the said datasheets which is attached thereto in a manner permitting relativetransverse sliding movement.

These objects are to be considered in relation to the problem ofproviding a comparative files of data sheets which contain entries madeover a.

the sheets. The individual sheets would therefore be necessarily greaterin width and this is a particularly undesirable feature since thecumulative effect of the increased width of each sheet is to make theoverall width of the sheet when extended unnecessarily large and spaceconsuming. Moreover, it may be that the additional items, such as grossprofits and cost of sales are only important for comparison with theparticular corresponding entry of data on a particular data sheet, andare not important for comparison with other entries of gross profits andcost of sales to be carried on the other data sheets.

Th present invention which contemplates the use of a secondary datasheet slidably attached to each of the echelon forming data sheetenables me to retain the desirable feature of narrowness of the datasheet, while providing additional information instantly available forcomparison by merely sliding the secondary sheet transversely in eitherdirection for comparison with the data 2 obtained on the primary sheetto which it is attached.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a comparative data file embodying myinvention, the various sheets thereof being shown in compact superposedrelationship.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatical illustration showing an end view of thedevice with spacing between adjacent sheets exaggerated for clarity ofillustration.

Figure 3 is a partial plan view showing the primary sheets extended inechelon arrangement.

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view partly broken away and showing apreferred form of an engagement provided for each pair of primary andsecondary data sheets;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the secondary sheetextended on the opposite side from that shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale takensubstantially on the line 6-6' as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale takensubstantially on the line 'l-'l as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a plan view of one of the metallic staves employed in theattachment means embodied in my invention.

Referring to the drawings, a plurality of superposed primary data sheetsHJ, H, l2 et seq. are arranged in a folder it. These primary data sheetsare substantially duplicates and each is provided with an extension M, i5, it at the upper end thereof. Means of the general type shown inPatent No. 2,295,951 are provided for connecting primary data sheetstogether and for permitting relative sliding movement between adjacentsheets. As shown in the drawings, this means includes transverselyspaced apertures H and I8 formed in the extensions l4, l5 and I6 of eachof the data sheets.

A stave I9 is attached at its opposite ends to the apertures I1 and 18,the stave i9 being provided with clips 2!! adapted for engagementbetween the apertures l1 and 88. Each of the extensions l4, l5, it isalso provided with a pair of transversely spaced perforations 20 and 2|adapted to receive the stave of an adjacent data sheet. Thus, theextension E5 of the primary data sheet II is provided with-apertures 20and 2| for reception of the stave l9 attached to the extension 14 on theprimary data sheet 10. The

extension l5 also carries a stave l9 which is identical to the stave l9carried by extension [4 and which is attached in a similar fashion toapertures provided in the extension iii of the primary data sheet l2. Ifthe comparative file is t be used for making monthly comparisons, twelveprimary data sheets may be employed, each connected to its neighbor bythe stave and perforation arrangement just described. The result is thatthe primary data sheets I0, I I, l2 et seq. may be arranged in verticalsuperposed relationship, as shown in Figure 1, or may be extended to theright or left in echelon arrangement as shown in Figure 3.

Interposed between each pair of primary data sheets are secondary datasheets 22, 23, 24 et seq. which are substantially duplicates and each ofwhich is secured to one of the primary data sheets. Thus, secondarysheet 22 is provided with perforations for reception of a stave 25 whichis identical to the stave is shown in Figure 8. Similarly, the secondarysheet 23 is secured to primary sheet H by means of stave 26 andsecondary sheet 24 is secured to primary sheet l2 by stave 21. Thesecondary sheets are not provided with extensions at their upper endsand therefore they terminate short of the upper ends of the primarysheets. This arrangement enables the primary sheets to be connected bystave elements independently of the secondary sheets.

Perforations 28 (see Figure 6) in the secondary sheets permit them toslide on the staves 25, 26, 21 et seq. so that each of the secondarysheets may be moved transversely with respect to its primary sheet toexpose either the right side or the left side of the secondary sheet, asdesired. Thus, in Figure 4 the secondary sheet 22 may be moved to theleft of the primary sheet is in order to expose the left hand datacolumn on the secondary sheet for comparison with the data entered incolumns on the primary sheet. It will be understood from the above thatthe arrangement of data sheets contemplated by my invention isparticularly advantageous in that it enables a series of superposedprimary sheets to be moved to an echelon arrangement for comparison ofthe data entered on any sheet with the data entered on any other sheet,and yet providing means whereby additional data relating to any one ofthe primary data sheets is instantly available for comparison therewithby shifting into view data columns carried on a secondary data sheet. Asa specific example, the primary data sheets may carry a central columnof indicia positioned between a pair of columns adapted for entry ofdata, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The central column may be entitledSales analysis, the right column may show entries of any given periodand the left column may show the total of such entries to date.

Each of such primary data sheets may comprise a sales analysis record ofany particular month such as, for example, April 1946. The completeseries of such sheets mounted in a folder [3 may comprise a record monthby month of the calendar year and hence a convenient comparison may bemade between analysis of sales data for each period, or for the totalperiod of any particular dates, by extending the primary sheets intoechelon formation either to the right or to the left, as may berequired. However, if during such process of comparison it is desired toinspect or compare further information, such as gross profits or cost ofsales for any given period,

the secondary data sheet for that period is moved transversely of itsprimary data sheet to expose the information required. The secondarydata sheet may be moved to the left to expose the gross profits and costof sales columns which show entries of data for the particular period,or it may be moved to the right to expose similar columns showing thetotal to date for the particular period.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data, thecombination of a plurality of juxtaposed primary sheets havingappropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data, horizontallydisposed stave members located adjacent and aligning a horizontal edgeof the primary sheets for effecting a horizontal sliding connectionbetween said primary sheets, said stave members each being attached atits ends to a primary sheet and having a sliding connection with anadjacent primary sheet so as to enable them to be normally heldsuperposed in registry with. each other, and also shiftable horizontallyand laterally relative to each other into an echelon arrangement, asecondary sheet carried under each of the primary sheets and havingappropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data, stave meansslidably connecting each secondary sheet to its respective primary sheetso that they are normally superposed with their corresponding columns inregistry, and so that each secondary sheet can be shifted transverselyto said columns toward either the right or left so as to expose aportion of either side of the secondary sheet.

2. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data, thecombination of a plurality of juxtaposed primary sheets havingappropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data, horizontallydisposed stave members located adjacent and aligning the horizontal edgeof the primary sheets for effecting a horizontal sliding connectionbetween said primary sheets, said stave members each being attached atits ends to a primary sheet and having a sliding connection with anadjacent primary sheet so as to enable them to be normally heldsuperposed in registry with each other, and also shiftable horizontallyand laterally relative to each other into an echelon arrangement, asecondary sheet carried under each of the primary sheets and havingappropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data, stave meanspositioned substantially midway between the upper and lower horizontaledges of said sheets and slidably connecting each secondary sheet to itsrespective primary sheet so that they are normally superposed with theircorresponding columns in registry, and so that each secondary sheet canbe shifted transversely to said columns toward either the right or leftso as to expose a portion of either side of the secondary sheet.

3. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data, thecombination of a plurality of juxtaposed primary sheets havingappropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data, means forattaching the primary sheets together for limited transverse slidingmovement, including a stave element extending transversely of each sheetnear one horizontal edge thereof and secured thereto at its outer ends,transversely spaced perforations in each primary sheet 5 adapted toreceive the stave element of an adjacent primary sheet in slidablerelation, a secondary sheet carried under each of the primary sheets andhaving appropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data,additional transverse stave elements for slidably connecting eachsecondary sheet to its respective primary sheet so that they arenormally superposed with their corresponding columns in registry, and sothat each secondary sheet can be shifted transversely to said columns toexpose a portion of either side of the secondary sheet.

4. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data, thecombination of a plurality of juxtaposed primary sheets havingappropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data, means forattaching the primary sheets together for limited transverse slidingmovement, including a stave element extending transversely of each sheetnear one horizontal edge thereof and secured thereto at its outer ends,transversely spaced perforations in each primary sheet adapted toreceive the stave element of an adjacent primary sheet in slidablerelation, a secondary sheet carried under each of the primary sheets andhaving appropriately designated columns thereon for entry of data,additional transverse stave elements positioned substantially midwaybetween the upper and lower horizontal edges of said sheets and adaptedfor slidably connecting each secondary sheet to its respective primarysheet so that they are normally superposed with their correspondingcolumns in registry, and so that each secondary sheet can be shiftedtransversely to said columns to expose a portion of either side of thesecondary sheet.

5. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data, thecombination of a plurality of superposed alternate primary and secondarysheets each having appropriately designated colurnns thereon for entryof data, an extension on each of the primary sheets projecting beyondone end of the adjacent secondary sheets, a first stave elementextending transversely across each primary sheet and secured at itsouter ends to said extension, transversely spaced perforations in eachextension adapted to receive the stave element of an adjacent primarysheet in slidable relation, a second stave element extendingtransversely across and under each primary sheet and secured thereto atits outer ends, transversely spaced perforations in each secondary sheetadapted to receive the second stave element of an adjacent primary sheetin slidable relation, whereby each secondary sheet may be shiftedtransversely under the superposed primary sheet to expose a portion ofeither side of the secondary sheet.

6. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data, thecombination of a plurality of superposed alternate primary and secondarysheets each having appropriately designated columns thereon for entry ofdata, an extension on each of the primary sheets projecting beyond oneend of the adjacent secondary sheets, a first stave element extendingtransversely across each primary sheet and secured at its outer ends tosaid extension, transversely spaced perforations in each extensionadapted to receive the stave element of an adjacent primary sheet inslidable relation, a second stave element extending transversely acrossand under each primary sheet at a position substantially midway betweenthe upper and lower horizontal edges thereof and secured thereto at itsouter ends, transversely spaced perforations in each secondary sheetadapted to receive the second stave element of an adjacent primary sheetin slidable relation, whereby each secondary sheet may be shiftedtransversely under the superposed primary sheet to expose a portion ofeither side of the secondary sheet.

JESSE M. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Jones et a1. Sept. 15,1942 Number

